Game device



July 16, 1957 G. ZEKOWSKI 2,799, 0

GAME DEVICE Filed Sept. 26, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. I.

FIG. 2.

'INVENTOR GERALD I. ZEKOWSKI.

BYW

' ATTORNEY- July 16, 1957 G. l. ZEKOWSKI Filed Sept. 26; 1955 FIG. 4.

GAME DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR GERALD L ZEKOWSKI WM /C ATTORN EY- United States Patent GAME DEVICE Gerald I. Zekowski, Far Rockaway, N. Y.

Application September 26, 1955, Serial No. 536,438

4 Claims. (Cl. 273-1) This invention relates to a game of chance and skillmore particularly to a roulette type of game with a rotatable disk, the stoppage position of which determines the score or extent of the players winning position.

In the conventional roulette type of game, the stoppage point is generally a matter of chance, since the magnitude of the turning force applied to the disk is not determinable. It is an object of the present invention, in one form thereof, to provide a member operable by the player, whereby the stoppage of the rotating disk is controlled by an act of the player. In this aspect of my invention it is an object to introduce an element of skill, in that the player-operated member is movable by a delayed action towards and into engagement with the disk to cause the stoppage thereof. The novel arrangement of the device is such that the skill of the player in deciding when to start said member into operation is an important factor in the stoppage point of the disck, and hence in the players resulting score or his winning position.

It is further within the contemplation of this invention to provide a device in which a player can with one hand cause the rotary operation of the roulette disk and with the other hand cause its stoppage by the member abovementioned. In this embodiment, the device is adaptable for use as a home game played by a single player.

Because of the fact that there are two members that are movable by independent actuating means, the device is also adaptable for use by two players, one operating the disk-controlling actuating means, and the other the disk stopping means. The game in this form, and in enlarged proportions, has particular utility at carnivals, where the players skill and judgment can be pitted against the experience of the operator of the device. Such an enlarged form of the game, though similar to the conventional roulette type game of chance, is distinguishable therefrom in that it has an appeal to those who prefer that the player have a role in the determination of the final result.

It is a further object of this invention, in another form thereof, to provide means for controlling the speed of rotation of the disk, thereby lending greater interest to the game, particularly in a contest between the player and an operator.

It is further within my contemplation to provide a game having the above-mentioned features, and which is of relatively simple construction.

Other objects, features and advantages will appear from the drawings and the description hereinafter given.

Referring to the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a front view of one embodiment of my invention, the dot-dash lines showing the projected operative position of the disk-stopping member and the position of the arrow on the disk at its stopped position.

Fig. 2 is a side view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a top view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a rear view of Fig. 1, certain of the electrical components and conductors being shown schematically, for convenience.

Fig. 5 is a somewhat enlarged fragmentary side view of v ICC the disk stopping member, a portion being broken away for clarity.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary section of Fig. 1 taken along the line 6-6. I

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary section of Fig. 1 taken along the line 77.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary section of Fig. 1 taken along the line 88.

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic wiring drawing of the said device.

In the preferred form of my invention illustrated, a front panel 10 has mounted thereon, in a manner to be hereinafter set forth, the rotatable disk 11 having, adjacent the peripheral edge 12 thereof, a plurality of forwardly projecting equally spaced pins 13. The said disk is disposed within the circular apertured portion 14 of said panel 10, there being a plurality of indications, such as the numerals 15, disposed about said apertured portion the spacing between said numerals being, in the preferred form illustrated, equal to the spacing between said pins 13. On the face of said disk 11 is an indicator or arrow 16 positioned so as to point towards the circular edge 17 of said apertured portion 14.

Disposed preferably below said disk 11 is the disk stop member generally designated 18, said member being movable between a retracted position, such as that shown in full lines (Fig. 1), to the projected position shown by dot-dash lines in intercepting relation to the path of said pins 13 during the operative rotation of said disk.

Said member 18, the details of which will hereinafter be described, is adapted to be manipulated by the player of the game from an original retracted position to an operative projected position. i

'It is primarily within the contemplation of my invention to enablethe said disk 11 first to be rotatably manipulated, either by an initial operative impulse or by a.

continuing rotating force such as that generated by a motorand then to enable said stop member 18 to be operatively manipulated whereby it is brought into position between two adjacent pins 13, thereby to cause a stoppage of rotation of the disk. The timing of the movement of said stop member 18, in accordance with the judgment of the manipulator thereof, will determine the point of.

engagement of said member and the disk, and accordingrules of the game.

In a variation of the game, a rheostat 19 is employed. The rheostat can also be operatively manipulated, so. as 1 to vary the speed of rotation of the disk 11, thereby introducing additional and more complicated factors in the determination of when to manipulate said stop member 18. The details of said rheostat arrangement will here inafter be set forth.

The said disk 11 is fixedly mounted on shaft 20 extending rearwardly beyond said panel 10, there being a ferrule 21 mounted at the front end of said shaft to hold it against rearward movement. Said shaft is rotatably supported by a bearing 22 mounted on the shelf 23 eX- tending transversely across the rear of said panel 10 and supported by the angles 24. A collar 25, fixedly mounted on said shaft 20, is engageable with the rear surface 22a of said bearing member 22 to hold the shaft and its associated parts against forward movement.

Affixed to the rear terminal of said shaft 20 is the gear 26, this being in engagement with the gear 27 mounted on shaft 28 connected to the disk actuating motor 29, the latter being operatively supported on said shelf 23. Operatively connected to said motor 29 are the two electrical conductors 30 and 31, the former being connected to the push button switch 32 mounted at the front of the panel, and the latter (conductor 31) being operatively connected to the terminal 33 of the battery 34, the latter being 'support'ed upon shelf 35 andmaintained imposition by the strap 36, affixed to the panel 10.

The" conductor 37, connected to the terminal of the switch 32 opposite that to which conductor 3il'is joined, is electiically connected to the terminal 38 of rheostat 19. The movable contact element 39 of said' rheostat is in operative slideable engagement with the resistance coil 40 of the rheostat, and is in slideable engagement with the conductingarm 41 connected to the'rheostat terminal 42, the latter being connected to the conductor 43 electrically connected toterminal 44' of said battery 34.

The arrangement of the structure above-described is hence suchthat when the switch 32 is operatively closed, a'circuit will be established through motor 29 to cause the rotation of gear 27 and consequently the said gear 26 and the disk 11'. By an operative movement of rheostat arm 39 through an actuation of the forwardly protruding handle 45 thereof, the speed of the motor 29, and hence of the disk 11-, can be varied.

The said stop member 18, in the particular form thereof illustrated, comprises a rod 46 having an upper threaded portion 47 and a lower portion 48 slideably movable within the hollow tubular member 48. Said member contains a longitudinal slot 49' therein through which extends the pin 56 afiixed to said lower portion 48 of rod 46, whereby said pin is engageable with the sides 51 of said slot 49 during the longitudinal sliding movement of rod 46, to be hereinafter described. The said threaded portion 47 of rod 46 is in threaded engagement with threaded internal wall 52 of the bracket 53 secured to the panel -the upper terminal of said rod 46 carrying the conical tip 54 adapted for operative engagement with said pins 13 when said stop member 18 is in its upper projected position. The lower portion of said tubular member 48 is connected to the flexible shaft 55 which in turn is connected to the shaft 56 of stop member motor 57 secured by strap 58 to said panel 10. The bracket 59, also secured to panel 10, serves as a support for the said shaft 55.

The said motor 57 has connected thereto the two conductors 60 and 61, the former being connected to a terminal of push-button switch 62 mounted on the front of the panel 10, the latter (conductor 61) being electrically connected to the terminal 33 of said battery 34. EX- tending from the terminal of switch 62 opposite to that to which conductor 60 is connected is the conductor 63,

the latter being electrically connected to terminal 44 of said battery 34.

The arrangement of the construction last described is hence such that upon an operative closing of switch 62, the motor 57 will be caused to rotate, whereupon the tubular member 48 and the rod 46 will also correspondingly be rotatably actuated, the rotary movement of tubular member 48 being transmitted to rod 46 through said pin 50. The rotation of the threaded portion 47 of rod 46 causes it to move upwardly because of its engagement with said internally threaded wall 52 of bracket 53. This upward movement occurs gradually, depending upon the pitch of the inter-engaging threadsthe upward movement continuing as long as the switch 62 is closed. When the said tip 54 of stop member 18 engages a pin 13, the switch 62 is released, and the motor 57 and associated parts discontinue their rotation. At this point, as aforesaid, the position of the arrow 16 indicates the score or final result.

To cause a retraction of rod 46, push-button switch 64 mounted at the rear of panel 10 is actuated. Connected to one terminal of said switch is the conductor 65 leading to terminal 66 of the battery 67, the latter also resting on said shelf 35 and being supported in place by the strap 68 secured to panel 10. At the opposite terminal of switch '65 is connected the conductor 69, this 4. being electrically connected to one terminal of the motor 57. The other terminal 70 of battery 67 has attached thereto the lead 71 which is electrically connected to the terminal of motor 57 opposite that to which the said conductor 69 is electrically joined.

Said battery 67 is so positioned and connected to said motor 57 that when the switch 64 is closed it will cause a rotation of the motor in a direction opposite to that caused by the actuation of said switch 62. This will cause a retracting movement of said rod 46, whereby the tip 54 is moved out of engagement with the coacting pin or pins 13 of disk 11. The collar 72 afiixed to rod 46 is engageable with the top of tubular member 48 to limit the downward movement of said rod 46.

In the form of my invention illustrated, the panel 10 contains the apertured portions 73 and 74 behind the switch 32, to permit the conductors 30 and 37 to extend rearwardly from said switch through. said. apertures. Similarly, the panel contains apertures 75 and 76 to per.- mit conductors 6t and 63 to extend rearwardly therethrough from said switch 62. The panel also contains the apertures 77 and 78 for receiving therethrough the said leads 6i) and 61 from motor 57.

It is thus apparent that a unitary and compact structure is provided to accomplish the aforesaid stated objectives of the invention. Although the structure shows a single roulette disk 11, it is Within the contemplation of this invention that a plurality of such disks can be mounted on a single structure, each being actuated in the manner above-described. And although the structure shows a specific arrangement "of batteries and switches for actuating the disk 11 and stop member 18, it is understood that other actuating means may be employed, in a manner well known to those skilled in the art, such as the use of coin control means in place of the switch 62.

In the above description, the invention has been disclosed merely by way of example and in preferred manner; but obviously many other variations and modifications may be made therein. It is to be understood, therefore, that the invention is not limited to any specific form or manner of practicing same, except insofar as such limitations are specified in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a game device, a rotatable disk, said disk having along a peripheral portion thereof a plurality of spaced pins, a panel rotatably supporting said disk, an elongated stop member rotatably and slidably supported by said panel, said stop member being movable between a retracted position out of engagement with said disk and a projected position in intercepting relation to the path of said pins during the operative rotation of the disk, said stop member comprising a rod with a threaded portion and a slide portion, an internally threaded bracket mounted on said panel and in threaded supporting engagement with said threaded portion of said rod, a guide member mounted on said panel and in slidable longitudinal supporting engagement with said slide portion of said rod, rotary actuating means connected to said guide member, said slide portion of the rod and said guide member being interengaged, whereby the operative rotation of the latter will cause an operative rotation of the former.

2. In a game device, a rotatable disk, said disk having along a peripheral portion thereof a plurality of spaced pins, a panel rotatably supporting said disk, an elongated stop member rotatably and slidably supported by said panel, said stop member being movable between a retracted position out of engagement with said disk and a projected position in intercepting relation to the path of said pins during the operative rotation of the disk, said stop member comprising a rod with a threaded portion and a slide portion, an internally threaded bracket mounted on said panel and in threaded supporting engagement with said threaded portion of said rod, a hollow tubular member mounted on said panel and slidably enveloping said slide portion of the rod, rotary actuating means connected to said tubular member, said slide portion of the rod and said tubular member being interengaged, whereby the operative rotation of the latter will cause an operative rotation of the former, and a stop collar on said rod disposed between and engageable with said bracket and said tubular member for limiting the operative projected and retracted positions, respectively, of said stop member.

3. In a game device, the combination according to claim 2, said rotary actuating means comprising a motor mounted on said panel, current supply means for said motor, a switch on said panel electrically connected to said motor, and separate actuating means for said disk.

4. In a game device, the combination accordirTgto claim 2, said rotary actuating means comprising a reversdisk.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,157,828 Webb et a1. Oct. 26, 1915 1,857,629 Epstein et al May 10, 1932 2,619,348 Woodin Nov. 25, 1952 2,717,158 Dieterich Sept. 6, 1955 

